A is for Albatross: an aggressor called Gibson's Wandering

Kaikoura calls itself the albatross capital of New Zealand with up to 10 species that have been seen from the pelagic trips. The advantage is that the deep Kaikoura Canyon where cold and warm currents meet and cause an upwelling of nutrient rich water, is only 15 minutes out to sea from Southbay. The food abundance creates a thriving seabird environment.

The first albatrosses of the morning were the Wandering Albatrosses, the Gibson's - Diomedea exults gibsoni - they were the aggressors at the chum fighting off the Northern Giant Petrels. A lifer and what a sighting.